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In Gaimu City, Gao Yanshou was furious and quickly ordered his troops to mobilize, gathering over twenty thousand men to march fiercely towards Tuolang.
Due to the presence of Gao Renwu's rebel forces, scouts quickly relayed the information to Xu Zhen. She did not dare to be careless and hurriedly summoned her generals for a meeting.
Hearing that the enemy had over twenty thousand troops, many of the generals were frightened. However, although the Goguryeo people were numerous, their armor and weapons were extremely scarce. Only the commanders could use the Mingguang Armor and Spears captured from the Former Sui period, while ordinary soldiers were equipped with wooden and bamboo spears and bows, making them not very formidable in battle.
Xu Zhen's Imperial Guards numbered only over five thousand. Although they were well-equipped, they were vastly outnumbered. While Gao Renwu's rebels were considerable in number, most came from rogue backgrounds, with only a few remnants of Rongliuwang soldiers. Their weaponry and combat strength were far inferior to Gao Yanshou's forces, leaving only about two thousand usable soldiers after assessment.
Facing seven thousand against twenty thousand was enough to cause panic. The defenses of Tuyang City were rudimentary; the walls were low and decaying, with almost no fortifications. Fortunately, Xu Zhen still had some Throwing Carts and Jingzhe Thunder at her disposal, and she ordered Zhang Jian to expedite their production in the rear.
After a thorough analysis of their combat capabilities, the soldiers calmed down and began devising strategies. Although Gao Renwu's troops lacked strength, they were very familiar with Goguryeo's tactics and techniques, providing Xu Zhen with crucial intelligence.
The citizens of Tuyang City unanimously supported Silver Pearl Prince, effectively turning everyone into a soldier. While they could not fight on the front lines, they could serve as auxiliary forces to help defend the city. The residents organized themselves to provide food supplies for the soldiers, creating an atmosphere that was tense yet orderly.
With strategists like Zhang Jiunian directing affairs, everything proceeded smoothly without major commotion.
After two days, scouts finally returned with military intelligence: a large number of Goguryeo officials appeared in the direction of Gaimu City, indeed numbering around twenty thousand!
Xu Zhen initially planned to intercept them with surprise troops, relying on the might of Jingzhe Thunder for a proactive strike that might catch Gao Yanshou's forces off guard.
However, Tuolang's military strength was already insufficient; if she divided her forces for an ambush and failed, her surprise troops would likely be lost. If Jingzhe Thunder was exhausted completely, Tuolang would surely collapse in one blow.
Thus, Xu Zhen could only send out signals for aid while actively organizing both military and civilian efforts to defend the city.
At noon, the sky suddenly darkened as thick clouds rolled in like a heavy blanket soaked in ink, pressing down on the City Wall. Both Tang troops and rebel forces sensed an overwhelming stench of blood in the air.
Xu Zhen donned her Red Armor, carrying a Carved Bow and resting her hand on her long sword. Caesar followed closely by her side. To avoid any mishaps, Xu Zhen had already instructed Zhang Suling to accompany Jin Shu into Flame Cave Palace for shelter along with many citizens.
The Brothers of the Divine Fire Second Camp have moved all the Throwing Carts onto the City Wall, guarding the four gates. The Imperial Guards from Youzhou and Liangzhou have divided their forces to defend, particularly strengthening the defenses at the South Gate. The Xu Zhen has even borrowed strategies from Murong Hanzhu in Ganzhou, temporarily sealing off the city gates to bolster the city’s defenses.
“Boom!”
A sudden thunderclap startled everyone, and heavy rain began to pour down, accompanied by a fierce wind that swayed the bamboo groves and trees outside the city.
The terrain outside Tuyang City was not open, which is why the Xu Zhen did not arrange for a Cavalry ambush. She looked up at the sky as rain fell like silver threads; if it weren't for the enemy at the gates, it would have been a beautiful downpour.
Just as the Xu Zhen was about to look away, she noticed large white dots and black lines appearing in the sky. Taking advantage of the heavy rain and wind, they were rushing towards Tuyang City!
“It’s arrows! Defend! Defend!”
The Xu Zhen suddenly realized and hurriedly issued orders. The Tang soldiers raised their round shields, while the rebels lifted their prepared rattan shields, taking cover beneath them.
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”
The sound of arrows slicing through the air drowned out the rain. White Feathers bamboo arrows fell like locusts; most landed outside the city walls, but a few managed to breach into the city, already losing their strength. With a thud, they struck down, causing a series of wails to erupt within the city!
“Boom!”
Another thunderclap sounded as groups of Goguryeo soldiers charged out from the bamboo groves and trees, flooding in from all directions. They split into four groups, intending to wipe out Tuyang City in one fell swoop!
The Xu Zhen peered out and saw that as they charged forward, they were also shooting arrows. The soldiers inside Tuyang City were unable to lift their heads!
The Goguryeo people excelled in archery; although these bamboo arrows were fragile, they were crafted with great skill. The shafts were straight, and the arrowheads sharp, minimizing air resistance. Coupled with the Goguryeo people's exquisite archery skills, they had mastered shooting within range. The Tuolang army was immediately suppressed!
"Second Battalion! Prepare! Prepare!"
At this critical moment, Xu Zhen could only deploy the Throwing Cart and Jingzhe Thunder, hoping to effectively intimidate the enemy and repel their first wave of attack!
Fortunately, Xu Zhen did not bring artillery like the Zhenwu General this time; otherwise, in such heavy rain, it would have been utterly useless. The Jingzhe Thunder was a divine thunder developed by Xu Zhen and Ginger Sage, which did not require ignition but instead detonated through the internal flint striking against each other.
Xu Zhen stood proudly in the rain, suddenly drawing her long sword and pointing towards the surging enemy forces below the city, shouting, "Fire!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The Throwing Cart emitted muffled sounds as one Jingzhe Thunder after another shot through the air, tracing perfect arcs before accurately landing in the heart of the enemy!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Terrifying explosions erupted everywhere, akin to firecrackers exploding in an ant nest. The enemies below the city were so densely packed that corpses flew in all directions; each Jingzhe Thunder claimed countless lives!
The rebels and auxiliary troops in the city were stunned by this scene, their souls shaken by Xu Zhen's heroic presence!
In their eyes, Xu Zhen raised her long sword high, and the Jingzhe Thunder fell like bolts of lightning from the sky, crazily reaping the lives of the enemy!
Gao Yanshou stationed himself at the rear, feeling that a small place like Tuyang City did not require his personal involvement. He thought it was overkill; according to intelligence, aside from a Silver Pearl Prince, there was also a priest known as "Suimont" from the Flame Cave Temple who had led the Tang army here.
As Gao Yanshou, being a Nosa, he had always held great respect for priests. Now seeing the Red Armored General standing at Tuyang City’s forefront, he couldn't help but pause in surprise.
"So this is Suimont..."
As the Xu Zhen swung her long knife, shadows suddenly descended from the sky, exploding within the military formation like thunder crashing down, creating a scene of utter chaos.
Gao Yanshou was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. He was no more composed than the Goguryeo People in Tuyang City, and the charging Goguryeo soldiers were terrified to the core, believing that the figure known as Suimont in Tuyang City could control thunder. They immediately began to retreat in disarray!
No one could have anticipated that this crucial first wave of assault would be repelled by the Xu Zhen's Jingzhe Thunder!
The entire city erupted with excitement!
Taking advantage of Gao Yanshou's retreat and unable to suppress fire, the soldiers within Tuyang City finally lowered their shields and retaliated with a rain of arrows!
Those officials and soldiers, already fleeing for their lives and terrified, had no courage left to turn back. As Tuyang City's Arrow Rain poured down upon them, countless bodies were left strewn across the ground!
Watching the panicked enemy flee, the soldiers of Tuyang City erupted in cheers, whether they were Goguryeo People or Imperial Guards from Youzhou and Liangzhou. They all shouted the same name: "Suimont! Suimont!"
The Xu Zhen had become an idol for everyone in Tuyang City, as if she had summoned divine power single-handedly to repel tens of thousands of troops like a land deity!
However, the Xu Zhen was not blinded by this temporary victory. She knew that the Jingzhe Thunder was limited in number, and once the enemy regrouped, they would surely realize this fact. Even if they did not notice it right away, they would eventually exhaust her Jingzhe Thunder at any cost!
Sure enough, after a brief moment of panic, Gao Yanshou's army regrouped and launched an even fiercer charge!
This sudden assault caught the Xu Zhen off guard, leaving three to four hundred of her forces vulnerable. Tuyang City's Arrow Rain shot down nearly a hundred more, with countless injuries among her ranks. How could Gao Yanshou endure this?
He was a proud Northern Nosa who regarded Tuolang as insignificant and thought he could crush it with a single blow. Little did he know that there was a formidable presence in this city; the Xu Zhen's Jingzhe Thunder had thoroughly enraged this arrogant Nosa!
The soldiers were already terrified, but under the ruthless orders of their Commander, facing death either way, they could only grit their teeth and charge forward!
This time, the Xu Zhen dared not misuse the Jingzhe Thunder again, allowing the Brothers to hold their defenses tightly. The shields were filled with White Feathers, resembling an angry porcupine.
The Tang Soldier's shields were robust, forming a shield wall at the front, while the Brothers at the back began to counterattack with bows and arrows. Fortunately, the Tang Soldiers were well-protected by heavy armor, and any Goguryeo Resistance Army member who dared to show their head would be shot down by a hail of arrows. Thankfully, each Tang Soldier was brave and fearless, standing firm at the front and continuously retaliating with their bows.
Gao Renwu and Gao Huizhen personally braved the arrows, using their exceptional archery skills to strike back. Xue Rengui and Xie Anting also refused to fall behind; however, they ultimately could not withstand the overwhelming numbers of the enemy.
As the enemy gradually approached the city walls, a siege team carrying bamboo ladders advanced under the cover of arrows. The Xu Zhen could no longer afford to hesitate. The Carved Bow buzzed as it shot down several enemies. With her quiver empty, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and make a decision.
"Release Thunder!"
The Throwing Cart activated once more, and the Jingzhe Thunder roared as it obliterated the enemy's charge. The shockwave from the explosion spread out, shrapnel flying everywhere, with casualties beyond counting. More importantly, the enemy was once again intimidated by the overwhelming might of Jingzhe Thunder!
However, this intimidation had lost its initial shock value. Gao Yanshou's Commander team pressed in from behind, leaving these Goguryeo soldiers with no way out as they howled and charged forward once more!
This time, however, the Xu Zhen's Jingzhe Thunder had been completely exhausted!
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